spring 2019 - home - great people. great...

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9

If everyday activities are becoming difficult or painful, it’s time to turn to the trusted orthopedic team at Mercyhealth. Our highly trained orthopedic and trauma specialists, nurses, physical therapists and other professionals work together to provide the very best care for your joints, muscles and bones. We are experts in treating fractures, sprains, strains and arthritis to help you recover quickly. We also offer the latest techniques in advanced joint replacement.

From diagnosis to treatment, we are always close by to alleviate your pain so you can get back to doing what you love. Whatever your passion, let Mercyhealth help you regain your freedom so you can lead an active, pain-free life.

To learn more, visit MercyHealthSystem.org/Ortho or call (888) 39-MERCY.

Closerfor orthopedic care

Mercyhealth Orthopedic Institute

38 EXPERT CARE CLOSE TO HOME Pediatric urologist is now seeing patients in Rockford 44 THE GIFT OF WARMTH Sgt. P’s Lapghans honors veterans 50 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

6 SAVING LIVES, ONE CLOT AT A TIME New device helps Mercyhealth treat massive strokes

12 AN IMMIGRANT’S DREAM Rockford man pursues his love of drawing

18 GAINING HER INDEPENDENCE Mercyhealth’s Special Needs Clinic helps Rockford girl

22 IN TOP SHAPE Mercyhealth program helps pro football player stay competitive

28 CREATIVE FORCES Rockford is full of published authors 34 PHOTO ESSAY:

34

D E A R R E A D E R : I first heard of Bounsay Pipathsouk when a

member of our editorial team came across

his website — a site, I later learned, that

was created by his youngest daughter. The

site introduced him as a Laotian immigrant

who has always had a remarkable talent for

drawing life-like portraits of celebrities.

Since this magazine is called “Great People.

Great Stories,” I thought his story would be perfect for us, and I set out to

arrange an interview with Bounsay and his wife, Pealuan.

I met the two of them at their business, Bounsay’s Upholstery Service

in Rockford, where they had set up about a dozen of Bounsay’s favorite

drawings of female celebrities. I settled myself in for a good story … and

I couldn’t believe my ears. This soft-spoken man’s story had everything:

intrigue, a daring escape from an oppressive country, the classic tale of

an immigrant who wants to do everything he can to support his family,

children who have risen to the top of the academic world, and, of course,

an artist’s quest to chase his dream. It was like the plot of a movie — but

it was a true story. You can find this true story on page 12.

Bounsay and Pealuan are a good example of why I love my job: There is

nothing more satisfying than meeting someone who has a wonderful

story to tell, and sharing his tale with the rest of the community. It’s

also why I love this magazine. Over the past few years, we have shared

dozens of stories with the people who live in Winnebago County and its

surrounding communities. And we always need more! I enjoy meeting

people like Bounsay, who are just quietly going about their business, but

who have an extraordinary story to tell.

If you know someone like this, please contact me at

[email protected]. It will make my day!

Beth Earnest

EDITOR, “GREAT PEOPLE. GREAT STORIES.”ese errors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

12

ON THE COVER:

BOUNSAY PIPATHSOUK HAS A

GOAL: CREATE 100 DRAWINGS

FOR AN ART SHOW. SEE STORY

ON PAGE 12.

Visit us at gpgsmagazine.com18

F E A T UR E S

LOCAL ARTISTS SHINE AT JAVON BEA HOSPITAL AND PHYSICIAN CLINIC–RIVERSIDE

4 Great People. Great Stories. | Spring 2019 LIFE IN YOUR COUNTY AND BEYOND 5

Nearly 800,000 people in the United States experience a stroke each year. In most of those cases, a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain and deprives it of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function. As many as 1.9 million brain cells

die each minute blood flow is blocked. A physician’s main goal is to remove the blood clot as quickly as possible so the patient has a better chance of recovering.

Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside is one of the few stroke centers in the region that has the capability of performing a mechanical thrombectomy—an interventional procedure in which the physician threads a catheter from a patient’s groin, through the arteries, and into the brain. The physician uses a stent attached to a wire to remove the clot. Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside is the only facility in the northern Illinois region to use the EMBOTRAP II Revascularization Device, a new tool that can save a patient’s life by retrieving the clot from the blood vessel. The design of the device prevents the clot from breaking apart and traveling deeper into the brain, causing a further stroke.

Vibhav K. Bansal, MD, JD,

Interventional Neurology Director

at Mercyhealth (pictured here with

radiologic technologist Raquel Rowe), is

using the EMBOTRAP II Revascularization

Device to save lives.

ONE CLOT AT A TIMENEW DEVICE HELPS MERCYHEALTH

TREAT MASSIVE STROKES

SAVING LIVES,


TEAMWORK CAN SAVE A PATIENTWhen a patient with stroke-like symptoms is arriving via ambulance to the Javon Bea Hospital Emergency/Trauma Center, Emergency Medical Services personnel will provide the hospital with a “pre-notification” of the incoming stroke patient, called a “Code Stroke.” This alerts an entire stroke care team, including emergency/trauma physicians and nurses, endovascular neurologists, neuro-hospitalists, neurology

nurse practitioners, and the stroke coordinator, plus medical imaging and lab staff, among others. Immediately after the patient arrives, caregivers order a computed tomography (CT) scan and then a CT angiogram (a test in which a patient is injected with an iodine-rich substance to check the condition of the blood vessels) to see if there is a clot that can be removed. They then administer tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) if it has been less

than four and a half hours since the patient first began showing symptoms of a stroke. tPA is a clot-busting intravenous medication that can help dissolve the clot quickly and restore the flow of blood to the brain.

Unfortunately, when the clot is too big, as occurs in a massive stroke, tPA does not solve the problem. That’s when Vibhav K. Bansal, MD, JD, Interventional Neurology Director at Mercyhealth, steps in to help. Dr. Bansal uses the state-

During a mechanical thrombectomy, the

physician threads a catheter from the

patient’s groin, through the arteries, and

into the brain.

Dr. Bansal practices interventional neurology, which utilizes minimally invasive, image-guided techniques to treat complex and dangerous diseases.

LIFE IN YOUR COUNTY AND BEYOND 9 8 Great People. Great Stories. | Spring 2019

of-the-art interventional radiology lab at Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside to perform an emergency mechanical thrombectomy and remove the clot.

One of the dangers of a mechanical thrombectomy can occur when the clot escapes from the device and travels deeper into the brain. In that case, the patient can suffer another, even more debilitating stroke. The EMBOTRAP II makes that less likely with a screen at the end of the stent that prevents the clot from traveling in the opposite direction. “When we get the stent up into the artery, we let it sit for five

minutes,” says Dr. Bansal. “We want the clot to become fully enmeshed in the stent. Then, we slowly remove the stent, bringing the clot back down through the body and out the groin. This device has been shown to be more effective at treating major strokes, and patients experience fewer complications.” In addition to making it less likely that a clot will escape, the new device also speeds up the procedure. Sometimes, an endovascular neurologist is not able to remove the entire clot during the first attempt with the stent, so he or she must return to the area a

second time to finish the procedure. The EMBOTRAP II makes it easier to remove the entire clot the first time.

“Knowing where to go when someone has a stroke and accessing that area quickly could mean the difference between life and death or functional independence or long-term disability,” says Dr. Bansal.

“Performing thrombectomies requires highly specialized training and facilities that not all hospitals have. At Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside, we’ve invested in the technology and in our stroke specialists, so we can offer patients the best possible outcomes and new hope after a stroke.”

SIGNS OF STROKEDo you know the signs of stroke? Here’s an easy and “FAST” way to remember:

B – Balance – Does the person have a sudden loss of balance? E – Eyes – Does the person have blurred vision or has lost vision in one or both eyes? F – Face drooping – Does the person’s face look uneven?A – Arm weakness – Have the person raise both arms. Does one of the arms drift down?S – Speech difficulty – Is the person’s speech slurred? Do they have trouble speaking?T – Time to call 911 – If any of these symptoms are present, you should call 911 immediately.

Dr. Bansal performs a procedure with Raquel

Rowe, radiologic technologist at Mercyhealth.

During the procedure, the doctor deploys a stent on a wire through an artery in the leg. After reaching the brain, the stent meshes with the

clot. After about five minutes of rest, the stent system can be removed, pulling the whole clot out along with it. The EMBOTRAP II has a unique

design that prevents the clot from spreading to other arteries while being removed.


IMMIGRANT’S

DREAM

AN

ROCKFORD MAN PURSUES HIS LOVE OF DRAWING

W hen Bounsay Pipathsouk first fell in love with his wife, Pealuan, her family wanted to make sure he would be able to provide for her. They quizzed him about his intentions and ambitions, and he told them he was an artist, but he also had a “real” job as an upholsterer.

Pealuan’s family advised him to forget about his drawing and concentrate on the kind of work that would allow him to provide for his family. Eager to please his soon-to-be in-laws, Bounsay agreed to put his drawing aside and focus his efforts on providing for his family. He did just that: He became successful enough that he opened his own business just a year after they were married, and while he was never rich, he earned enough to put food on the table and help their three children earn full scholarships to college — two to Stanford University in California and one to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. But he never quite forgot about his greatest passion: drawing. And now that life is more financially comfortable for both him and Pealuan, Bounsay is pursuing the dream he has had since he was a boy.

Bounsay and Pealuan Pipathsouk

have built a successful upholstery

business. Now, Bounsay is pursuing

his dream of being an artist.


received government funding for that particular training program. Ten years after Bounsay first stepped into an upholstery shop, he was opening his own store on 21st Place in Rockford; the store was on the first floor, and he, Pealuan and their baby boy lived on the second floor.

A RETURN TO WHAT HE LOVESBounsay and Pealuan (who came to the United States several years after her husband) had three children, and between raising his family and

managing his business, Bounsay no longer had time for drawing. When his oldest son, Andrew, was in fifth grade, his teacher asked the Pipathsouks whether they had paid for drawing classes for Andrew, because he excelled so much at art. Bounsay told her that he, himself, was an artist, so perhaps that was where Andrew had inherited his talent. Andrew was dumbfounded, because he had never seen his father pick up a piece of charcoal. He insisted that Bounsay show him what he could do, so Bounsay found a photo of Elizabeth Taylor from “Life” magazine

and copied it exactly. “He said to me, ‘Dad, why did you quit drawing? You can really do this!’” says Bounsay. “I told him, yes, drawing is my passion, but when you have a family, it doesn’t work.” Nevertheless, the conversation encouraged him to start drawing again when he had time, and before he knew it, he had amassed 10 drawings of female celebrities (his subject of choice), which he hung on the wall of his store. One of his customers, who was taking a class at Rockford Art Museum, showed his drawings to her

STRUGGLING TO SURVIVEBounsay was born in Laos and lived with his father and sister (his mother died when he was young). They chafed under Communist rule, struggling to find enough food. “It seemed like we couldn’t survive anymore,” says Bounsay. “After our dog died of starvation, we thought, ‘Are we next?’” As more and more people moved out of their neighborhood to seek better lives in other countries, Bounsay and his family finally decided to make their own exit. They waited until the night of a thunderstorm, then took a boat across the Makong River to Thailand, praying soldiers wouldn’t see them and start shooting.

They made it to a refugee camp in Thailand, where they stayed

for two years while waiting for another country to approve their immigration. While they were there, Bounsay learned he could make a living drawing other people’s faces. Embassy officials and visitors to the camp saw his drawings of celebrities and paid him $20 for a charcoal or pencil drawing, which was enough to feed his family for a month, along with their United Nations ration.

Eventually, the Pipathsouk family was cleared to enter the United States. They came here in 1978 under the sponsorship of the Baha’i Center of Rockford, which found them an apartment, a doctor and jobs. At first, Bounsay tried selling drawings, like he had done at the refugee camp — going to the mall or the park to find people who would pay him for their

likeness. But he quickly discovered it was much harder to make a living as an artist in America than it was in Thailand. Bounsay’s sister, who was a gifted seamstress, found a job at a local upholstery shop — but she barely spoke any English. Bounsay was not yet fluent, but he knew English well enough to communicate, so he became his sister’s interpreter for her first month on the job. During that time, the shop became so busy that the owners let Bounsay try upholstery, too. He took to it like a fish to water, and thus he found a “real job” — though he still spent as much time as he could drawing.

Years passed, and Bounsay became so good at upholstery that an acquaintance hired him to train employees at Goodwill, which had

Bounsay (with his wife, Pealuan) focuses on drawing portraits of women because they’re “easier to draw.”

Bounsay shows photos of his early life after coming to America, including some of his favorite drawings.

"I AM NOT A YOUNG MAN ANYMORE, AND IF I DON’T HELP MYSELF, WHO WILL? EVEN IF THERE’S A 1 PERCENT CHANCE THAT I WILL SUCCEED, I WANT TO GO FOR IT."

— BOUNSAY PIPATHSOUK


instructor, and Bounsay was invited to be part of a show there. At the show, a man expressed interest in having him draw a portrait of his wife, but the wife strongly objected, saying she didn’t want a “glamourous” portrait of herself.And that, Bounsay says, is why he has never been able to make a living as an artist: His drawings of celebrities are so lifelike that it’s difficult to find people who want those kinds of portraits of themselves. “I knew I should keep my drawing as a hobby only,” he says. “It’s too difficult to find enough people who want to buy what I’m creating.”

But Bounsay’s children haven’t given up. Last year, his youngest daughter, Sophia, arranged for him to display his drawings in a show at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He met a museum curator there, who told him he would need at least 100 drawings to launch his own show. Bounsay decided to go for it. Creating 100 works might have been tough a few years ago, but Andrew has paid for their mortgage and most of their expenses so his father and mother don’t have to worry much about finances, even while they are still running their business. “It seemed like a very natural thing to

do, given everything they’ve done for us,” says Andrew, who is now 30 and a robotics engineer in San Francisco.

So Bounsay has his work cut out for him — and he’s determined to see it through. “This is one last chance for me to fulfill my childhood dream,” he says. “I am not a young man anymore, and if I don’t help myself, who will? Even if there’s a 1 percent chance that I will succeed, I want to go for it. I tell my children, in life you have to try your very best, no matter what.”

For more information about

Bounsay and his drawings, visit

bounsaypipathsouk.com.

Bounsay’s most recent project was a drawing of Princess Diana.

Bounsay demonstrates how lifelike

his drawings are by comparing a

photo of Marilyn Monroe to his

creation.


Breanna Elder is a vibrant 6th-grader who loves to draw, play on phones and tablets, swim and play basketball — and she’s a huge Justin Bieber fan. She would like to be in constant motion — but that’s difficult, given that she suffers

from spina bifida. Spina bifida is a congenital defect in which part of the spinal cord is exposed through a gap in the backbone, causing paralysis in the lower part of the body and preventing a person from walking easily.

Breanna’s life is consumed with doctor appointments, as she sees specialists who help her cope with the various complications associated with her condition. Up until recently, all her doctors were at a Chicago hospital — a long drive away from her Rockford home. But her mom, Jennifer, heard about Elizabeth Pickvance, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Mercyhealth’s Orthopedic Center of Excellence in Rockford. Dr. Pickvance provides full, comprehensive care to children with many different kinds of orthopedic needs. Now, Breanna receives the care she needs — close to home.

INDEPENDENCEGAINING HER

MERCYHEALTH’S SPECIAL NEEDS CLINIC HELPS ROCKFORD GIRL

Breanna Elder, who suffers from spina

bifida, has been regaining her mobility

thanks to specialists at the Mercyhealth

Orthopedic Center of Excellence.


HELP WITH MOBILITY Children with spina bifida often use a wheelchair in their daily lives; Breanna has used a wheelchair for several years. But a person in a wheelchair can have much more independence if he or she is able to stand and walk for short periods of time. Recently, Breanna’s legs began to tighten and contract so that she could not stand at all.

Dr. Pickvance performed two surgeries on Breanna: In the first surgery, she fixed a kneecap fracture on one of Breanna’s legs, and in the second surgery, she cut an angle in Breanna’s leg and took out some of the bone so it would more easily straighten. She reattached the bone using rods and screws, which she will remove later. “I love working with Dr. Pickvance, and I’m happy we met her,” says Jennifer. “I’ve been to a lot of doctors with Breanna, and she’s the best we’ve found.”

Breanna has been seeing a Mercyhealth physical therapist, who is getting

her used to standing on her own and teaching her how to walk using a walker or crutches. Now that Breanna has had the surgeries she needs, she has the capability to be much more independent.

SPECIAL NEEDS CLINIC Breanna has also started coming to Mercyhealth’s Special Needs Clinic, a once-a-month clinic during which children can see several different specialists in one visit, rather than needing to make separate appointments. Dr. Pickvance, who is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon; a pediatric neurologist; a physical therapist; a bracing specialist; and a social worker are all available to help families make decisions about what their children need most. At one point in the visit, Dr. Pickvance, the neurologist and the physical therapist are in the room at the same time, conferring about next steps. “Families love seeing their doctors discuss the final plan together,” says Dr. Pickvance. “Instead of having to put all the dots

together outside the clinic, we can put together a plan of action right away.”

The vast majority of children who use the Special Needs Clinic have spina bifida or cerebral palsy, but any child who needs to see an orthopedic surgeon and a neurologist is welcome at the clinic. “Because we’re all here, we can determine whether the child is best served by medication, or if we need to bring other forms of treatment into the mix,” says Dr. Pickvance.

NO NEED TO TRAVEL Jennifer appreciates that she has access to such highly trained specialists, close to home. Breanna has two other siblings, and it was arduous for the family to have to travel back and forth to Chicago — a three-hour round trip. “We can get to everything in so much less time now,” she says.

And Breanna is thrilled she’s feeling so much better after her surgeries. “My legs don’t hurt anymore, and they’re straight,” she says.

MERCYHEALTH ORTHOPEDIC CENTER OF EXCELLENCE Mercyhealth’s 22-room facility on the Rockton Avenue Campus houses several adult and children’s orthopedic surgeons. The orthopedic physicians each specialize in a variety of treatments and surgeries, including sports medicine, joint replacement and trauma surgery.

Dr. Elizabeth Pickvance, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at the Mercyhealth Orthopedic Center of Excellence, has helped

Breanna improve her ability to straighten her legs.

Dr. Pickvance and Breanna’s mother,

Jennifer, help her learn to walk after

the surgeries on her legs.


IN

TOP SHAPEMERCYHEALTH PROGRAM HELPS

PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER STAY COMPETITIVE

A s a teenager, Dean Lowry had lofty ambitions — he wanted to play football for one of the schools in the Big Ten Conference. He knew that to achieve his dream, he would need to do more than just practice with his team at Boylan

Catholic High School in Rockford. He needed a trainer who would help him become one of the best defenders in the region. So, he started working with Tim Bailey, PES, Performance Enhancement Specialist with Top Performers in Loves Park, Illinois, which is now part of Mercyhealth.

His hard work paid off: He played football for Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and was drafted to play for the Green Bay Packers in fall 2016. And through it all, he has stuck to the intense training regimen Tim has customized for him. “Nobody knows where I’ve come from like Tim does,” says Dean.

Dean Lowry, a defensive end for the

Green Bay Packers, relies on

Mercyhealth Top Performers for his

off-season training.


Performance Enhancement Specialist Tim Bailey helps Dean develop his upper body strength.

A TRUSTED MENTORWhen he was in his 20s, Tim played for the Arena Football League for four years, but he had to leave because of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2003. He decided to use his background in kinesiology, biomechanics and anatomy to start Top Performers and help other athletes improve their performance level. “There’s a lot more than just strength and conditioning involved in helping an athlete reach his or

her full potential,” he says. “A good performance specialist understands how the body works, and how we change it to do what we want it to do.”

Tim first met Dean when he was a sophomore at Boylan. Some of Dean’s teammates had already started working with Tim, and the teenager could see just how much they had improved on the field. He wanted that, too, so he began seeing Tim twice a week. Tim worked on increasing

Dean’s speed, flexibility, mobility and strength. He helped him become more explosive and agile, so that when he moved, he moved with purpose.

When Dean headed to Evanston to play for the Northwestern Wildcats, his relationship with Tim changed. Instead of seeing him weekly, he would come back to Top Performers during school breaks so he could keep himself in good shape during the off-season. “Every time he came home,

we would work together to see what we could add to his game,” says Tim.

That included working with special, cutting-edge equipment that can be used for young athletes who are ready, as well as pros. The Keiser AIR300 Squat enables athletes to utilize up to 500 pounds of force without putting excessive stress on the joints and connective tissues that they experience with conventional weights. Additionally, the AIR300 Runner is an apparatus that helps athletes improve explosive leg power, allowing the muscles to fire faster. It’s very safe on the connective tissues and eliminates much of the shock load that athletes experience with conventional equipment.

After Dean was drafted by the Packers, he continued to work with Tim during the off-season. Every time they get together, Dean and Tim discuss what the Packers trainers have been doing with him, but they also add other unique elements to their routine. Dean now sees Tim four times a week when he’s away from Green Bay. “Tim does a great job of mixing up the old-school methods of weight training with new techniques to help an athlete,” Dean says.

HELPING PARTICIPANTS IMPROVEAt Mercyhealth Top Performers, located in Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. in Loves Park, Tim works with athletes of all

ages and adults who want to improve their physical fitness. Whenever a new client comes in, he performs a needs analysis, which allows him to have a greater understanding of the athlete’s physical abilities. Then, he customizes a program based on those needs, working to improve the weak links in the athlete’s performance.

The program is growing and developing relationships with area high schools and other local sports programs. Tim and the Mercyhealth physical therapy staff hope to bring Mercyhealth’s integrated approach to Winnebago County and the surrounding areas — offering an option for athletes who are injured and want to reach a level beyond where they were before their injury.


Of course, that requires an extremely high level of dedication. Dean knows that better than anyone. “If you want to reach your true capabilities, you have to have a plan, and you have to be consistent with that plan,” he says. “You can’t just do something

here and there. If you are not serious about your training, Tim isn’t the right trainer for you. He will call you out.”

Dean is a perfect example of the need to continually improve physical capabilities, says Tim. Even when an

athlete has reached the highest level of a sport, he or she can always continue to grow. “If an athlete doesn’t understand the importance of improving his or her physical qualities, that athlete will plateau at some point,” says Tim.

Dean uses a 20-pound weighted vest, plus additional force from Tim, to work out with the TRX suspension system.

A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES FOR ATHLETES Since 2001, Mercyhealth has offered a performance component to its sports medicine program in Rock County, Wisconsin. Now, it provides performance training in Winnebago County and the surrounding areas, as well, through Mercyhealth Top Performers. An athlete can receive every service he or she needs through Mercyhealth — primary care, injury assessment with the health system’s athletic trainers, physical therapy, nutrition, neuropsychological evaluation for concussions, and now, performance training for athletes who want to reach the next level. “All of our specialties work together to make an athlete’s experience seamless,” says Donna Storbakken, PT, Director of Rehabilitation Services and Sports Medicine at Mercyhealth.

FOR A FREE EVALUATION AT MERCYHEALTH TOP PERFORMERS, CALL (815) 971-3940.


CREATIVE FORCES

ROCKFORD IS FULL OF PUBLISHED AUTHORS

Because the world of mainstream publishing is so fiercely competitive, many writers have chosen to self-publish their books and stories in order to find an audience. There are dozens of writers in the Rockford area who have done so,

and many have been able to make names for themselves. Here, we introduce you to three home-grown writers who have found their niche.

Karla Clark, pictured here with her novel

“Everybody and Their Brother,” has made

a name for herself in the Rockford area

through grassroots marketing.


KARLA CLARKAfter fielding rejections from dozens of literary agents over the course of 15 years of writing, Karla Clark of Rockford received the surprise of her life in 2018: She found an agent who wanted to work with her. Up until that point, she had made quite a name for herself through self-publishing and self-marketing her novels in the Winnebago County area. She and her cousin, who is an artist, decided to create two children’s books together. She sent out 100 query letters to literary agents, and one expressed interest. “I had worked so hard on the novels,” she says. “It was very surprising to me, after all these years, that one of my children’s books helped me find an agent.”

Within a short amount of time, the agent sold one of Karla’s stories to

Feiwell & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers that publishes children’s literature. He also sold the book’s sequel, which Karla hasn’t even written yet. The publisher chose an illustrator for the book, Zoe Persico, and it’s due to come out in winter 2020.

“It’s like I’m going from the middle leagues to the big leagues,” Karla says. Not that the middle leagues haven’t been kind to her. A pharmaceutical sales representative by day, Karla writes in the evenings — and since both her children are grown, she doesn’t have many distractions. She created a niche for herself in northern Illinois by visiting women’s book clubs to talk about her works. “As I told more and more people about my books, I found myself talking to more and more book clubs,” she says. “I’ve had regional

success.” She’s also an artist, so when she sets up a booth at art shows, she brings her books along, as well.

Now that Karla has a literary agent, there is a potential for more of her books to be picked up by major publishers — including the novels. “I’m 60 now, and I’m hoping to retire in a few years so I can take up writing full time,” she says. For more information on Karla’s books, visit karlaclarkauthor.com. DUSTIN URNESSFor Dustin Urness, writing became a welcome escape during a difficult time in his life. He was in the middle of a divorce and decided to try putting some of the stories in his head down on paper. The result was a series of short stories,

After years of self-publishing novels, Karla has found a publisher for her children’s books.

Dustin Urness fits writing in between time

spent with his family and working.


“Disturbing Tales of Horror and Anguish.” He found a local artist, Chris Sweeney, to illustrate the book, and released it in October 2015. Since then, he has written a stand-alone book, “The Killer Grins …” and a story that was published in “Dark Dreams & Weird Worlds,” a collection that was edited by Gary Hill. “I enjoy the horror genre,” he says, “because it’s something I feel I can go a little crazy with creatively. I’ve always had a fascination with horror. Every time I read something growing up, it would make me feel so alive. It stimulated my mind in a way that not a lot of other genres did.”

Dustin works during the day as an informational technology specialist for a company in Janesville, so his writing is relegated to nights and weekends. Additionally, he needs to carve out time to spend with his fiancée and editor, Dessie Voigt, and their three children. “I do what I can to make the most of my writing time,” he says.

You can find Dustin’s books on amazon.com and lulu.com. For more information, visit dustinurness.com.

GARY HILLIn 1998, Gary Hill of Poplar Grove, Illinois, started “Music Street Journal,” a Word document chock full of music reviews and interviews that he emailed to 30 subscribers. Later, it became a website, then a series of books that are published every two months. In 2006, he self-published his first book, “The Strange Sound of Cthulhu: Music Inspired by the Writings of H.P. Lovecraft.” That led to other books, which in turn cleared the way for his creation of Tales of Wonder and Dread Publishing, a company that releases science fiction and horror books. “I’m a huge music fan, and I love paranormal and science fiction stories,” he says. “If it’s something I find interesting, I want to publish and write about it.” Between his books, his website and some freelance gigs, Gary works full time as

a writer. Over the last year, he has also become a leader of other writers in the Rockford area. In 2018, he took over leadership of the 815 Authors Club, a group originally set up by Rockton, Illinois writer Heath Alberts. The group has put together two book signings, and it’s now talking about planning signings twice a year.

Gary believes the best way for local authors to find success is to band together. “There has always been a vibrant arts culture in Rockford,” he says. “I’m not surprised there are a lot of authors around. I believe in networking with people, which is not the easiest thing to do when you’re writing, because it’s so solitary. This group allows us to find connections.” For more information on Gary’s books and other writings, visit lulu.com or musicstreetjournal.com.

Gary Hill has turned writing into a full-time career.

You can find all of Gary’s books and other publications on lulu.com.


This original painting, located in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit corridor, is by Rockford artist Therese Rowinski.

Rockford artist Jill Rae Martin-Golden coordinated with more than 20 additional area artists in painting engaging tiles celebrating life. The tiles give special homage to Rockford with many meaningful glimpses of Rockford’s history.

This ceramic tile in the Level III (highest level) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was created by Illinois artist Laurie Eskenazi.

CAPTION HERE

LOCAL ARTISTS SHINE AT JAVON BEA HOSPITAL AND PHYSICIAN CLINIC– RIVERSIDE


PHOTO ESSAY: ARTWORK AT RIVERSIDE

T here are hundreds of pieces of local artwork thoughtfully placed throughout Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside.

Mercyhealth’s art committee used the hospital’s overall design to serve as a guide during the process. The goal was to make an

essential contribution in the healing environment, providing inspiration and positive distractions for patients, staff and caregivers. The carefully selected hospital artwork seamlessly transitions the different departments and specialties throughout the hospital.

These fused glass pieces by regional artist Teresa Soriano are located on the 3rd floor pediatric corridor between the hospital and clinic.

This is a closer look at the community art piece above, which is located on the hospital’s second floor.

Project Smile is a community art piece in the 3rd floor pediatric clinic. It is comprised of 50 canvas panels, each created by area children and seniorswith the assistance of a Rockford artist in her art class.

These original pieces by local artist Debra Cabrelia are located on the 4th floor of the Physician Clinic portion of the hospital.

“Magnolias,” by Rockford artist Jill Rae Martin-Golden, graces the Labor and Delivery area with a sophisticated touch of pink and blue.


EXPERT CARE CLOSE TO HOME

PEDIATRIC UROLOGIST IS NOW SEEING PATIENTS IN ROCKFORD

Dr. Patrick McKenna has spent most of his career building pediatric urology programs in communities that did not previously offer the specialty. Last fall, he retired from the medical profession as Medical Director of the University

of Wisconsin-Madison Pediatric Urology Program, with the intention of writing a book about his experiences treating President Ronald Reagan in the emergency room at a hospital where he worked. But his retirement lasted only a month: He could not resist the opportunity to bring his expertise to Winnebago County’s newest health care facility, Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside. “I’ve always had a desire to bring care closer to home in smaller communities,” he says. “Until now, parents whose children suffered from urological problems needed to travel to Chicago for treatment. But we have the capability to serve them right here in Rockford.”

Pediatric urologist Patrick McKenna,

MD, has brought his expertise to the

Winnebago County area.


DESTINED TO BE A HEALERAs a young child in Lake Placid, New York, Dr. McKenna always knew he wanted to be a doctor. His model was a beloved doctor in his hometown, and he thought he would become a small-town primary care physician just like him. But life took him in a different direction, and he became a pediatric urologist instead. He completed his urology residency at Naval Regional Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, and later completed a fellowship in pediatric urology at the Hospital for Sick

Children in Toronto, Canada — one of the top centers for that particular specialty. Later, he became Chief of Pediatric Urology at Naval Regional Medical Center, earning the rank of captain before retiring from military service. During his medical career, he established pediatric urology programs at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut; Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois; and, most recently, he was Medical Director of the Pediatric Urology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

MERCYHEALTH UROLOGY RECONSTRUCTIVE CENTER In Rockford, the urology clinic consists of Dr. McKenna, two highly specialized nurse practitioners, and a team of nurses. The clinic will focus on three key areas:

Reconstructive UrologyReconstructive urology is Dr. McKenna’s main area of interest and specialization. When he was in the Navy, he worked with some of the top reconstructive urologists in the world and was exposed

Saige Joiner, 8, of South Beloit, Wisconsin, was Dr. McKenna’s patient when he was working in Madison. Her mom, Tina, is happy he now sees patientscloser to their home.

Dr. McKenna and nurse Sharmine Berry,

RN, discuss options for treating their

patient.


to highly advanced methods and research. “I’ve been handling these kinds of problems my whole career,” he says. “There are a relatively small number of people in the world who perform these types of surgeries.”

In particular, he treats many children who suffer from hypospadias, a birth defect in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis rather than the tip. “We are developing a program that will help many children who live in this area,” says Dr. McKenna.

IncontinenceDr. McKenna and his two nurse practitioners treat children who have problems excreting urine. When Dr. McKenna was working in Connecticut, he developed a new method for managing incontinence that eliminates the need for invasive procedures. Instead of performing surgery to fix the problem, the

caregiver educates the family and uses computer games to teach children how to urinate effectively. “Between 12 and 13 million children in the United States suffer from incontinence,” says Dr. McKenna. “Through this new method, we have helped children learn how to urinate normally. It has changed the way pediatric urologists have helped children nationwide.”

Urologic problems identified before birthIn addition to hypospadias, there are many other pediatric urologic problems that can be identified before a baby is born. These include bladder outlet obstruction (the blockage of urine flow anywhere along the urethra), bladder exstrophy (the bladder is visible on the outside of the body), and vesicoureteral reflux (urine backs up in the kidney instead of flowing out of the body). Dr. McKenna will work with Mercyhealth’s maternal-fetal medicine

specialists and neonatologists to help babies who have these problems.

PUTTING INFORMATION ONLINEDr. McKenna is turning Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside into northern Illinois’s foremost center for pediatric urology. To that end, he offers extensive information on pediatric urology on Mercyhealth’s website so that parents can learn about their child’s condition from a local source. “I believe strongly in the need for high-quality pediatric urologic care close to home,” he says.

ABOUT DR. MCKENNAHe and his wife, Linda, have three adult daughters. Linda is a wound and ostomy nurse. Together, they enjoy sailing, water skiing, gardening and breeding Golden Retrievers.

For more information, ask your

pediatrician or primary care physician

for a referral to Dr. McKenna, or call

(888) 39-MERCY.


SGT. P’S LAPGHANS HONORS VETERANS

When Charlotte Kennedy was growing up, her father never talked about his time serving in World War II. Walter Petroske was stationed in France, Belgium and Germany as a sergeant in the U.S.

Army; he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and his unit was instrumental in disarming explosives under enemy fire so Allied troops could cross the Rhine River. But it wasn’t until Walter’s grandchildren expressed interest in his military history that the veteran opened up and told his stories. Charlotte listened with awe as her father told her daughter, Colleen, about his acts of heroism.

THE GIFT OF WARMTH

Charlotte Kennedy spends many

hours each week creating lapghans

for veterans.


Charlotte, who lives in Poplar Grove, Illinois, never forgot her reverence for the men and women who serve our country, and when she retired from her job as an administrative assistant, she made it her mission to do what she could to help veterans. Thus began Sgt. P’s Lapghans for Veterans, an organization (named after her father, of course) that provides handmade crochet and knit lapghans (blankets that fit on the lap) for veterans. Since then, the organization has grown to include more than 60 people in eight different states who have created more than 2,800 lapghans.

AN IDEA CATCHES ONWhen she started Sgt. P’s Laghans in the summer of 2014, Charlotte worked hard to recruit other knitters and crocheters

in the area by distributing fliers and advertising through social media. She thought she might attract five or six other ladies, but word of mouth spread quickly, and soon she had 15 to 20 people meeting twice a month to make the lapghans. The group grew so quickly, in fact, that it outgrew its original meeting space and had to move to the John Hugo Kaiser Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1461 Boone County Veterans Club.

Running the group was much more challenging than Charlotte initially anticipated. She had thought yarn stores would jump at the chance to donate yarn to such a worthy cause, but she discovered they weren’t quite as enthusiastic about her mission as she was. So, she had to plan fundraisers

and find other ways to provide her group members with the materials they needed to create lapghans. She also had to find places for them to bring their creations. Charlotte and her group members now regularly visit three local Veterans Administration hospitals and participate in Stand Downs — events that provide supplies and services to homeless veterans.

Sally Paugels of Cherry Valley, Illinois, has made more than 230 lapghans for the organization and says she becomes emotional every time she hands out the blankets to veterans.

“They’re just overcome to know that someone is remembering them,” she says. “It brings tears to my eyes.”

Coleen Martin Williams walks up the

aisle after performing a monologue.Charlotte and other members of her group meet twice a month at the John Hugo Kaiser Veterans of Foreign Wars Post1461 Boone County Veterans Club.

Charlotte shows a picture of her father, Walter Petroske, who was a hero in World War II.


It’s not just blankets that Sgt. P’s Lapghans makes — the group also hands out hats, scarves, gloves and mittens. These items are especially important for the homeless veterans that group members encounter, who greatly appreciate anything that warms them up. At a recent Stand Down, Charlotte remembers one veteran hugging the blanket she gave him and saying to her, “You don’t know how cold it gets in February.”

HEALTH PROBLEMSBecause Charlotte belongs to several online crochet groups, word has spread quickly about Sgt. P’s Lapghans. That’s how many of the members who live in other states have become involved. Charlotte has crocheters and knitters in Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Colorado. Additionally, there is a small group in Alabama that has organized a southern delegation of Sgt. P’s Lapghans, making blankets and other winter wear for veterans in that state.

But in the midst of spending more than 50 hours a week running this large organization, Charlotte experienced a health crisis of her own. In May 2018, she was diagnosed with Stage I invasive breast cancer. Over the next several months, she made many trips to Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital–Rockton as she underwent treatment

— four biopsies and two lumpectomies. She is now taking endocrine therapy to combat the cancer, and will continue taking it for at least five years — and possibly for the rest of her life. The side

effects — nausea, vomiting, coughing, muscle aches and diarrhea — have been very difficult for her. Additionally, when she was recovering from her surgeries, she wasn’t able to crochet for 12 weeks.

While Charlotte was recovering, her husband, Patrick, and daughter, Colleen helped keep the group afloat

— communicating with veterans’

organizations, sending and receiving materials from all the volunteers, and keeping morale high. “It has been a blessing in disguise,” says Charlotte. “Thinking about Sgt. P’s Lapghans kept my mind off of me.”

And, of course, knowing that she is making so many veterans happy makes all the effort worth it for Charlotte,

whose father is now 98 and still lives on his own. “My dad was a true hero and patriot, and so are all the people who receive our lapghans,” she says.

To learn more about Sgt. P’s Lapghans,

visit sergeantpslapghans.org.

Charlotte’s husband, Patrick, and her daughter, Colleen, have helped immensely while Charlotte has been undergoing cancer treatments at Mercyhealth.


NEWBORN CARE CLASSA new baby — now what? The Newborn Care Class is designed to help new parents learn the basics of newborn care — in the hospital and during those first few weeks at home. Class will include basic baby care, feeding, bathing, diapering, growth and development. It also covers safety issues related to your home, your car, and your newborn. Classes are held 6-9 pm on May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3 and October 1; and 9 am-noon on May 4, June 15, July 13, August 10, September 7 and October 5 at Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside. Classes are free.

BREASTFEEDINGIf you are choosing to breastfeed your baby, this one-time class offers practical information and support to enhance your breastfeeding experience. It is very important that mothers-to-be have support for their decision to breastfeed, so we strongly encourage that your partner or other support person attend this class with you. Classes are held 6:30-9 pm on May 20, June 24, July 29, August 26, September 30 and October 28; and 9:30 am-noon on May 11, June 8, July 6, August 17, September 14 and October 12 at Javon Bea Hospital Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside. Classes are free.

PREPARING FOR CHILDBIRTHMercyhealth offers a class to prepare for both a vaginal or cesarean birth, as well as for becoming a parent. These smallclasses are especially recommended for first-time moms-to-be and their support persons. Classes are held 9

am-4 pm on May 18, June 22, July 27, August 3, September 21 and October 19. There also is a two-night option: Classes are held 6-9 pm on May 8 and 15, June 5 and 12, July 10 and 17, August 21 and 28, September 11 and 18, and October 9 and 16. All classes are held at Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside, and are free.

SIBLINGS UNDERSTANDING NEWBORNSThis class helps prepare children ages 3-10 for the arrival of their new baby brother or sister and to reassure them of their special role in the family. Class are held 6-7:30 pm on May 13, July 15 and September 16. The class takes place at Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside and is free.

CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECKSWe understand that new parents are always concerned about their child’s safety. That’s why we offer free car seat safety checks for parents throughout our community. Regulations for car seats change from year to year, and we help make sure you are prepared. Checks take place on May 11 and August 10 at Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside; and June 8 and October 12 at Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Rockton. On July 20, a check will be held from 10 am to 2 pm at the Children’s Health and Safety Fair at Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Rockton. SAFE SITTER Safe Sitter is for children in grades 6-8 and covers safety skills, child care skills, first aid and rescue skills, as well as life

and business skills. This is a two-day class, held 9 am-3:30 pm on June 27 and 28, July 30 and 31, and August 8 and 9 in Classrooms 1 and 2 of the Ingersoll Building on the Rockton Campus. The cost for this class is $60.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUPIf you are living with MS and would like to connect with others, please join us for a monthly meeting. This is an opportunity to share your experiences, learn from others, find and lend support and build connections. The group meets the first Wednesday of every month, 2:30-4 pm., at Mercyhealth Mulford, 5970 Churview Dr. in Rockford.

CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUPMeetings include featured speakers such as chiropractors, nutritionists, acupuncturists, licensed massage therapists, certified yoga instructors and more. The group meets the fourth Thursday of every month, 2:30-4 pm, on the Rockton Campus.

27 HOUSE OF MERCY

CHARITY BALL

5 pm

Janesville Country Club

2615 W. Memorial Drive, Janesville

mercyhealthsystem.org

26-MAY 12 “MAMMA MIA”

Friday and Saturday, 8 pm; and

Sundays, 2 pm

Pec Playhouse

314 Main St., Pecatonica

Pecplayhouse.org

MAY 2 BROADWAY AT THE

CORONADO: “FINDING

NEVERLAND”

7:30 pm

Coronado Performing Arts Center

314 N. Main St., Rockford

Coronadopac.org

18 GR8-1-5 BEER FEST

1-5 pm

BMO Harris Bank Center

300 Elm St., Rockford

Thebmoharrisbankcenter.com

19 JAZZ AT STARR CENTER –

ROCKFORD JAZZ ENSEMBLE

3 pm

Starr Center

415 N. Church St., Rockford

Mendelssohnpac.org

JULY 19-AUGUST 4“CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF”

Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; and

Sundays, 2 pm

Pec Playhouse

314 Main St., Pecatonica

Pecplayhouse.org

JULY 20CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND

SAFETY FAIR

10 am-2 pm

Javon Bea Hospital and Physician

Clinic–Rockton

2400 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford

mercyhealthsystem.org

APRIL

CALENDAR OF E VENTS

Mercyhealth offers a wide variety of classes

for the community. For more information

and to register, call (815) 971-1999 or visit

mercyhealthsystem.org/classes.

For more information on community

events, visit gorockford.com.

MERCYHEALTH CL A SSES – SPRING/SUMMER 2019

FARMERSMARKETSEdgebrook Farmers Market Wednesdays, 9 am-1pm May 1-October 30 1639 N. Alpine Rd., Rockford Edgebrookshops.com

HCC/Colonial Village Farmers Market Fridays, 9 am-1 pm May-October 1240 S. Alpine Rd., RockfordHCC Reality Farmer’s Market/Colonial

Village Facebook page North End City Market Saturdays, 9 am-1 pm May 11-October 26 Intersection of North Main at at Auburn Street Rockfordcitymarket.com/northend

Rockford City Market Fridays, 3:30-8:30 pm before Labor Day, 3:30-7:30 pm after Labor Day May 17-September 27 Water Street at East State Street Rockfordcitymarket.com

Rockton River Market Wednesdays, 4-8 pm June-August 200 E. Hawick St., Rockton Rocktonrivermarket.com

19-JULY 28 “THE ADDAMS FAMILY”

June 19-22, 8 pm; June 22, 2 pm; and

July 24-28, 8 pm

Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College

3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford

Rockvalleycollege.edu

26-AUGUST 4“JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING

TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT”


July 31-August 4, 8 pm




JUNE 12-JULY 15 “WEST SIDE STORY”


July 17-21, 8 pm





Mercyhealth is closer to every family that needs us.Today, the best hospital care is closer to you, no matter where you live. Children and adults alike will receive exceptional health care at both of our Rockford hospital and clinic campuses—at Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Rockton, where we’re investing millions of dollars to renovate like never before, and the new Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside.

It’s our way of bringing the very best health care close to where you and your family live, work and play. From wellness visits and immunizations to keep you healthy to highly specialized care when you’re sick or injured, Mercyhealth’s 800+ physicians will provide compassionate, leading-edge care for every member of your family. For more information, call (888) 39-MERCY or visit MercyHealthSystem.org.

Closerfor families

Rockton Riverside

spring 2019 - home - great people. great...

Documents